Q90. Which of the following are famous Sun temples of India?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I 2026]
- Konark Temple
- Modhera Temple
- Martand Temple
A. I only
B. I and III only
C. I, II and III
D. I and II only
Answer: C. I, II and III
Explanation: Konark in Odisha, Modhera in Gujarat and Martand in Kashmir are all historically important temples dedicated to Surya, though they belong to different regions and architectural traditions.
Q89. Which of the following temples is NOT a prime example of Dravidian-style architecture?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I 2026]
A. Brihadeeswara Temple
B. Shore Temple
C. Gangaikondacholapuram Temple
D. Siddhesvara Mahadeva Temple
Answer: D. Siddhesvara Mahadeva Temple
Explanation: Brihadeeswara, Shore and Gangaikondacholapuram temples belong to major southern Dravidian traditions. Siddhesvara Mahadeva is associated instead with northern or regional Nagara architectural traditions.
Q88. The Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh is important because it is an early example of which temple type?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I 2026]
A. Rock-cut architecture
B. Vesara style
C. Dravida style
D. Panchayatana Nagara temple
Answer: D. Panchayatana Nagara temple
Explanation: The Gupta-period Dashavatara Temple was built on a high platform with a central shrine and subsidiary shrines at the corners, representing an early Panchayatana-Nagara plan.
Q87. Which site is renowned for paintings and sculptures considered masterpieces of Buddhist art?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I 2026]
A. Elephanta Caves
B. Mawsmai Cave
C. Bhimbetka Caves
D. Ajanta Caves
Answer: D. Ajanta Caves
Explanation: Ajanta contains Buddhist chaityas and viharas decorated with outstanding murals and sculptures. Its paintings include Jataka narratives and episodes connected with Buddha’s life and teachings.
Q86. Who commissioned the Konark Sun Temple?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I 2026]
A. Ashoka
B. Chandragupta II
C. Harshavardhana
D. Narasimhadeva I
Answer: D. Narasimhadeva I
Explanation: Eastern Ganga ruler Narasimhadeva I commissioned the thirteenth-century Konark Sun Temple. Conceived as Surya’s gigantic stone chariot, it represents the mature Kalinga architectural tradition.
Q85. The Pallava temples at Mahabalipuram are made mainly from:
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I 2026]
A. Granite
B. Marble
C. Laterite
D. Sandstone alone
Answer: A. Granite
Explanation: Mahabalipuram’s Pallava monuments were largely fashioned from local granite. The site demonstrates cave temples, monolithic rathas and later structural temples, showing successive architectural experiments.
Q84. Which temple represents Surya’s chariot with 24 stone wheels?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I 2026]
A. Mahabodhi Temple
B. Sun Temple, Konark
C. Airavatesvara Temple
D. Virupaksha Temple
Answer: B. Sun Temple, Konark
Explanation: Konark was conceived as a colossal chariot of Surya with twelve pairs of wheels and seven horses. Its elaborate stone carving represents the zenith of Odisha’s Kalinga architecture.
Q83. To which Hindu deity is the Sun Temple at Konark dedicated?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I 2026]
A. Brahma
B. Vishnu
C. Surya
D. Shiva
Answer: C. Surya
Explanation: Konark is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. Its architectural conception represents Surya riding a monumental chariot drawn by seven horses and mounted upon elaborately carved wheels.
Q82. Consider the following statements:
- The Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh belongs to the Gupta period.
- The Bhitargaon Temple was constructed primarily of dressed stone.
[UPSC CDS 2026]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A. 1 only
Explanation: Deogarh’s Dashavatara Temple is an important Gupta structural temple. Bhitargaon, however, is famous as one of India’s oldest surviving large brick temples, so statement 2 is incorrect.
Q81. Consider the following statements regarding Pallava architecture:
- Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchi is an early Pallava temple hewn from solid rock.
- Vaikuntha Perumal Temple at Kanchi is a Pallava temple dedicated to Vishnu.
[UPSC NDA 2026]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B. 2 only
Explanation: Kailasanatha is a structural sandstone temple, not a rock-cut shrine. Vaikuntha Perumal, however, is an important Pallava structural temple dedicated to Vishnu at Kanchipuram.
